COStanford University · on Coursera
Algorithms Specialization
Intermediate 200 hours English Specialization
Our recommendation
Tim Roughgarden's four-course specialisation on algorithms, a rigorous, university-level treatment of the classics — sorting, graphs, greedy algorithms, dynamic programming and NP-completeness. It is theory-first and language-agnostic; you implement the ideas in whatever language you like. Demanding but excellent.
Skills you'll gain
AlgorithmsData structuresGraph algorithmsDynamic programmingGreedy algorithmsBig-O analysis
Is this course right for you?
A good fit if you…
You can already program
You want rigorous algorithms
You are preparing for technical interviews
Consider something else if you…
You are new to programming
You want a fast interview crammer
You want a specific language tutorial
About this course
Tim Roughgarden's Algorithms Specialization is the most well-regarded algorithms credential available online — four courses moving from sorting and divide-and-conquer through graph algorithms (Dijkstra, BFS/DFS, SCCs), greedy algorithms, dynamic programming, and NP-completeness. Roughgarden's teaching is exceptional: rigorous mathematical analysis combined with genuine enthusiasm for the subject.
What you'll learn
Analyze algorithm complexity using asymptotic analysis and recurrences
Implement and prove correctness of divide-and-conquer algorithms
Apply graph algorithms including Dijkstra, Bellman-Ford, and Kruskal's
Solve problems with dynamic programming and greedy strategies
Understand NP-completeness and identify intractable problems
This course includes
200h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
Free to audit on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, with financial aid available.
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Is the certificate recognised?
The certificate is issued through Coursera with Stanford. The deep understanding you build is the real value.
Instructor
TR
Tim Roughgarden
Coursera instructor
380K+ learners4 courses4.9 instructor rating
Taught by Tim Roughgarden, Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University and formerly Stanford, a leading algorithms researcher.
About this provider
CO
Coursera
University-backed online learning platform. 142M learners, 7,000+ courses from 325+ institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Yes for a rigorous grounding in algorithms. It is university-level and excellent, though demanding.
It is language-agnostic. The lessons teach the ideas; you implement them in whatever language you prefer.
It builds deep understanding, which helps, but for interview drilling you may also want targeted practice on sites like LeetCode.
You can audit it free on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, with financial aid available.
Yes. It is theory-first and rigorous — rewarding, but a real commitment.
Around 200 hours across four courses — a few months part-time.